Whether you’ve studied Greek and Hebrew or just read the interlinear line, you’ve probably noticed that the ordering of Greek and Hebrew words sounds remarkably like you’d expect Yoda from the Star Wars saga to speak. Most introductory grammars don’t even tackle the issue of word order. So is there any exegetical significance to the Greek and Hebrew word order? Absolutely!

Most traditional grammarians like Gesenius or A. T. Robertson recognized two general motives for placing information in front of the verb: contrast and emphasis. Newer grammars like Biblical Hebrew Reference Grammar and Discourse Grammar of the Greek New Testament, applying principles from modern linguistics, have sharpened our understanding of word order. But unless you are a biblical language expert specializing in information structure, you’d be hard-pressed to accurately analyze word order until just recently.

The Lexham Discourse Hebrew Bible will be shipping soon, helping you identify and understand the same useful concepts that pastors and teachers have come to value in the Lexham Discourse Greek New Testament. The initial release will provide an analysis of Genesis–2 Samuel. The entire database is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013.

For those of you who’ve never studied Hebrew or Greek, the Lexham High Definition: ESV Edition resources mark every place where the biblical writers have used word order or some other device to emphasize important ideas. If you buy the Greek or Hebrew database, the ESV Edition comes bundled with it. All these resources include a glossary and introduction to help you get the most out of the text.

Remember how I said you’d need an expert in biblical languages to properly analyze word order? Well, about a year ago Logos hired Josh Westbury as a Hebrew language specialist to partner with me in completing the Lexham Discourse Hebrew Bible/HDOT project. He is currently in a doctoral program with my former adviser and friend Christo Van der Merwe. Look for Hebrew versions of popular resources like Discourse Grammar of the GNT and Lexham High Definition Commentaries written in conjunction with my new colleague, Josh!

The Understanding the Bible Commentary Series: Old Testament is an example of the intelligent, relevant, and engaging resources published by Baker Books. Each author in this 16-volume series bridges the gap between ancient Hebrew language and practice and contemporary understanding. You can pre-order the Understanding the Bible Commentary Series on Pre-Pub right now for only $99.95—but the price goes up Monday, July 9.

The goal of this series is to tear down the walls that keep modern readers puzzling over the ancient world. Through a section-by-section analysis of the biblical text, highlighted key phrases and terms, and transliterated Greek and Hebrew, this commentary makes the Old Testament’s significance clear to contemporary readers.

Some readers worry that focusing on accessibility sacrifices scholarship. Not so with the Understanding the Bible Commentary Series. Every chapter ends with supplemental in-depth technical and textual information. Pastors and Bible students will find the Scripture and subject indexes, not to mention the bibliographies, helpful for digging deeper into their studies.

Increase the power of your Logos library with insights from notable authors like:

John Goldingay: the David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Ordained in the Episcopal Church, he is the author of numerous books, including Old Testament Theology volumes 1–3 and commentaries on Daniel, the Psalms, and the Minor Prophets.

Tremper Longman:the Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. Before coming to Westmont, he taught at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia for 18 years. He has authored or coauthored numerous books, including An Introduction to the Old Testament, How to Read Proverbs, and commentaries on Daniel, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Job, and Song of Songs.

Pre-order this collection today and enrich your networked Old Testament resources. You can get this on Pre-Pub at $99.95, but time is of the essence. The price goes up to $179.95 on Monday, July 9.Order now!

“The Judge is before the door: he that cometh will come, and will not tarry: his reward is with him. And we shall all (if we are zealous for the Lord of hosts) ere long shine as the stars in the firmament, in the kingdom of our heavenly Father, for ever and ever.”—George Whitefield

George Whitefield (1714–1770), a contemporary of John and Charles Wesley, was an influential figure in the Great Awakening. He toured New England, England, Scotland, and Wales, preaching to crowds that at times numbered in the tens of thousands.

How Can I Get It?

To download your free book, all you need is a Logos.com account—and it’s completely free to register. Our system currently requires a credit card on file for all “purchases”; this includes free items. But don’t worry—you won’t be billed for your free book.

When registering, you’ll be able to sign up for various email lists. Read through these and check boxes for updates that interest you. Make sure you click the Freebies, Contests, and Giveaways list. Now that you have a Logos account, you don’t want to miss out on all the giveaways and free items we make available (like the Faithlife Study Bible!).

Your Logos.com account is useful for downloading your favorite Christian books from Vyrso.com, and it’s also your gateway to the Faithlife community.

How Can I Read It?

So you’ve signed up for an account and got your free book. Now what? You can enjoy Selected Sermons on the following platforms:

Logos 4: It doesn’t matter if you’re new to Bible study or you have a DMin; this award-winning software takes you deeper into the Word. Invest in one of our base packages or download the free engine (PC or Mac).

As respected theologian and pastor R. C. Sproul said, “Dr. Boice’s commentary series is a treasure for the church and for her pastors. No expository preacher can afford to be without it.” And for the next week, you can get the 27-volume Boice’s Expositional Commentaries collection for only $99.95 with the coupon code JULYBOICE! If you were to pick up this collection at any other time, you’d pay $399.95—buttodayyou’ll save 75%.This is the lowest price we’ve been able to offer on this collection in years!

For more than 30 years, Boice pastored Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. He was president and cofounder of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, the parent organization of The Bible Study Hour radio broadcast, which Boice led and contributed to for more than 30 years. He also served as chairman of the International Council of Biblical Inerrancy for over 10 years.

Boice pours a lifetime of preaching and teaching into these 27 commentaries. With remarkable skill, Boice presents the biblical narrative (as well as important doctrines) in a way that relates to the lives of all believers. If you’re looking for biblical resources that can be used for reference or read devotionally, the Boice’s Expositional Commentaries collection is a perfect fit.

No matter where you turn in this series, you’ll be edified by powerful content written from a pastoral perspective. Check out these gems:

“If you have been called to faith in Jesus Christ, you are part of the radically changed community, the new humanity.”

“Grace reigns, not because God is gracious to us no matter what we do, but because grace has created in us a genuinely godly walk.”

“Christianity has been the most powerful, transforming force in human history, and the book of Romans is the most basic, most comprehensive statement of true Christianity.”

“There’s nothing today’s church needs so much as to rediscover the doctrine, spirit, and commitments of the early Christian community.”

“If we allow God to use us, we become important spiritually. For the Lord Jesus Christ himself is seen in the conduct of his followers.”

Don’t wait. This is an incredible resource at a once-in-a-lifetime price. Purchase Boice’s Expositional Commentaries by 11:59 pm (PST) Friday, July 13, using coupon code JULYBOICE and you’ll save $300!

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”—John Adams in a letter to his wife, Abigail

It was Mr. Adams’ original conviction that American independence would be forever celebrated on July 2—the day that Congress, in a closed-door session, approved the resolution of independence. As it turns out, Adams was off by a couple of days. Americans celebrate the day that the Declaration was formally adopted and a copy of the manuscript officially printed.

Independence Day was already being celebrated one year later. On July 4, 1777, the city of Philadelphia held an elaborate celebration which included a public display of fireworks, forever tying pyrotechnics to American independence festivities.

Here’s what the Virginia Gazette had to say about the event:

“The glorious fourth of July was reiterated three times accompanied with triple discharges of cannon and small arms, and loud huzzas that resounded from street to street through the city. Towards evening several troops of horse, a corps of artillery, and a brigade of North Carolina forces, which was in town on its way to join the grand army, were drawn up in Second street and reviewed by Congress and the General Officers.

The evening was closed with the ringing of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated.

Every thing was conducted with the greatest order and decorum, and the face of joy and gladness was universal. Thus may the 4th of July, that glorious and ever memorable day, be celebrated through America, by the sons of freedom, from age to age till time shall be no more. Amen, and amen.”

For the Founding Fathers, American independence was explicitly tied to spirituality and religious liberty. Freedom was a right bestowed by an almighty Creator. So, convinced that God supported their cry of freedom, America’s forefathers placed “a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence” as they pledged their lives, belongings, and honor in support of this ideal.

One of the big challenges in studying Old Testament stories is identifying the central character, the one to whom the writer wants you paying close attention. This is especially true in complex stories like that of Jacob stealing Esau’s blessing, in which Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Esau each play an important role. So how do you find the central character, the one in the spotlight?

Background:

Think about the last time you introduced someone to someone else. Chances are you gave a name (“This is Jayson…”) plus some specific connection to you (“. . . my neighbor” or “. . . a friend from work”). You picked the most relevant connection for the context, which required you to choose which connection to use. Here’s what I mean. If I were speaking at a conference, they’d never introduce me as “Ruth’s dad” or “Jayson’s friend.” They’d pick the connection most relevant to the context, like “scholar-in-residence” or “doctor of biblical languages.” After the introduction, they’d only use my name, usually there’s no more mention of the connection. Usually, that is.

Genesis 27

Genesis 27 recounts the story of Jacob stealing Esau’s blessing. The main characters are already well established from the preceding context, as is their connection to one another. So why is it that the writer keeps repeating their connection to one another, e.g., “Esau his older son” (Gen 27:1), “Jacob her son”, and “Esau your brother” (Gen 27:6)? What is accomplished by these overly specific connections? They exist for two reasons; we’ll cover the first one in this post.

Since connections are only needed when someone is first introduced, repeating them where they’re not required helps us see where the writer has placed the spotlight. How? Even though the connection is unneeded, it still instructs us how to connect the person to the story. Here’s how it works. The story opens with Esau connected to Isaac as “his son” in v. 1, instructing him to fix him a savory meal. After Rebekah hears of Isaac’s plans, she calls for Jacob, “her son.” Note the shift here. He could have simply been called “Jacob” or alternatively connected to Isaac as “his son.” By connecting Jacob to Rebekah, the writer shifts the spotlight from Isaac to Rebekah just as Rebekah begins hatching a plan to divert Isaac’s blessing from Esau to Jacob.

In Gen. 27:11, overspecification signals another shift in the spotlight, just before Jacob protests against Rebekah’s request. He’s no longer called “her son”; instead, Rebekah is called “his mother.” This new connection forces us to the new initiator.

The coolest example of overspecification comes as Jacob presents the meal he’s prepared to Isaac. Gen 27:17 states that Rebekah gives the food to “Jacob her son,” who, in turn, takes it to “his father.” Here the connections and spotlight shift from Rebekah to Jacob. In v. 20, as Isaac questions the identity of the meal-bearer, he speaks to “his son!” Which one? He’s not sure, and the writer of Scripture captures this ambiguity by changing from “Jacob” vaguer “his son!” In v. 21, as Isaac prepares to touch and smell the one addressing him, there are no connections provided! Why not? It avoids making any judgment about who’s initiating, whether Jacob will triumph or whether Isaac will reject his claim.

Finally in v. 22, as Isaac gives in to Jacob’s request, the expression “Isaac his father” is used, connecting him to Jacob right at the point that Isaac decides to go along with Jacob’s request, despite his misgivings.

The Lexham Discourse Hebrew Bible and the High Definition Old Testament use a silhouette symbol () to mark all the overly specific references.

In Gen 27 this devices is used to signal shifts by providing new connections between participants. The changes coincide with shifts in initiators, heightening the drama of an already exciting story. The resource annotates all occurrences of 30 of the most exegetically significant discourse devices, and it includes both an introduction and a glossary that help you understand what each accomplishes. The analysis also provides a block-indent outline to help you break down the complexities of Hebrew syntax.

There’s also a version specially designed for those who haven’t studied Hebrew: The Lexham High Definition Old Testament (HDOT). Even though the analysis is based on the Hebrew text, nearly all the same discourse devices are available, displayed on the ESV text.

Both resources come with an introduction and glossary to explain the concepts. Plus the Lexham Discourse Hebrew Bible comes bundled with the HDOT in a six-volume bundle: the Hebrew and the English together at a special price.

There’s a parallel set of New Testament resources currently available that use the same symbols and same linguistic framework:

Faithlife is where Christian community happens online. There’s no place quite like it for sharing life with other believers. You keep up with friends on Facebook. You manage your messages with email. If you have a band, you (might) still be on MySpace. Now there’s a place to connect with your church, your friends, and your school over what’s most important: God and his Word.

Don’t Forget the FSB!

Faithlife is a community wrapped around the Word, so we’ve developed a study Bible for the community. The Faithlife Study Bible is ever growing, mobile-friendly, group-focused, and huge—it’s the largest study Bible in the world. The FSB is compatible with several different translations, it includes a built-in Bible dictionary, and it lets you share notes and reading plans with your Faithlife groups.

How to Join

Sign in at Faithlife.com with your Logos account. If you don’t have an account already, register a new account for free. (If you have had a Logos.com account for a while but have forgotten your password, you can go to Logos.com/forgotpassword to reset it.) Then complete your profile with a picture and more information about you. It’s totally private—you control what can and cannot be seen. Once your profile’s set up, find your church’s Faithlife group, or start creating your own groups.

Faithlife is always improving with updates and new features. Do you know a way to make it better? Do you want to talk to other Faithlife users? Why not get involved on the Faithlife forum?

Logos 4: Portfolio Edition—$4,290 (Actually, this massive library would cost over $35,000 if you were to purchase every title in print!)

Logos book credit—$1000

Estimated total value—$20,000+

A Doctorate like No Other

Even without the scholarship, the DMin in Preaching and Teaching is an amazing opportunity to take your ministry to new heights. It’s the only doctorate program out there that will train you in both world-class theology and first-class technology. You’ll learn from brilliant biblical scholars, including preaching and teaching authority Dr. Haddon Robinson and NIV and NASB translator Dr. Bruce Waltke. You’ll emerge an expert in biblical study and teaching, equiped with your own enormous Logos library for powerful lifelong ministry.

These are just a few reasons every pastor or Bible teacher should invest in a Knox DMin, but there are many more.

Last Chance to Win—Class Starts Soon!

The first onsite class is in Bellingham, Washington, this August. Apply at DMin.me by June 30 to enroll for the class—don’t miss this chance to bring new depth and breadth to your ministry.

A good study Bible will have millions of words, thousands of study notes, and lots of maps, timelines, charts, and more. But all those pages add up; there’s only so much you can put in a printed study Bible.

That’s not an issue anymore, though. The new Faithlife Study Bible is the world’s largest study Bible, and you can take it anywhere!

The FSB Has It All

We’re reinventing the study Bible for the digital age. While print study Bibles are limited to a few study notes per page, the digital FSB provides much, much more:

And it’s always growing! We’re constantly expanding the FSB with new study notes, dictionary articles, images, and more. And no matter how huge it gets, you’ll always be able to carry it around with the Faithlife Bible apps for your iPad, iPhone, and Android devices.

The FSB Is Perfect for Groups

The Faithlife Study Bible isn’t just big; it’s also the best study Bible for groups. The FSB makes it easy for churches, schools, and your own groups of friends to dig deeper together.

Pick your translation. Most study Bibles are only available in specific translations, but the FSB’s study notes are anchored to the original biblical languages. So whether you’re using the ESV, KJV, NIV, or another preferred translation, you can see the same notes!

Share notes and reading plans. The FSB connects with your groups on Faithlife, so you can share thoughts and reflections on Bible passages. And if your group is reading through the Bible in a year, you can share a reading plan that keeps you all on track. Of course, these plans sync with your own Logos reading plans.

Share sermons and lessons. Document sharing is easy with the FSB, too. Put your sermon outlines, course syllabi, and more up for your groups to see.

Get the FSB Free through 2014

Try the world’s largest, most advanced study Bible free through March 2014. The FSB would usually cost $29.95 per year, but with coupon code FREE, you can use it free for the first two years! Once you’ve subscribed to the FSB, download the app so you can access it on your mobile devices. Don’t forget to tell your friends about this tremendous opportunity to dig deeper together with this revolutionary new study Bible.

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is the largest Protestant denomination in the United States. It’s fair to say that the SBC’s theological discussions have a ripple effect throughout the greater evangelical world.

While the statement has generated a lot of support, there has been pointed criticism as well. Critiques have included challenges against the proposed traditional Baptist view of salvation, suggestions of poor exegesis, and even claims of semi-pelagianism (a soteriological teaching suggesting that although humanity is tainted by sin, we still have the ability to cooperate with God’s grace of our own volition).

A Google search for A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation returns over 30,000 hits full of discussion and opinion from all over the theological spectrum. These include thoughtful analyses from leaders like Albert Mohler and academics like Roger E. Olson. The discussion is deep and complex.

Logos has the books you need to clarify and deepen your understanding of Baptist history. Research Calvinist and Arminian theology and draw your own conclusions regarding the traditional Baptist understanding of salvation—head to our Baptist history page to see our discounted Baptist resources and to get the coupon codes!

That’s not all—pick up The Baptist Heritage: Four Centuries of Baptist Witness for only $29.99 or get 15-volumes from A. T. Robertson, one of America’s foremost Baptist scholars, for only $161.97—a savings of 40%. We have the 4-volume Works of Arminius (4 vols.) for just $79.96.

With more than 25,000 resources, Logos has the titles you need for cutting-edge theological research. Check out our amazing collection of Baptist resources today!